Judy A. Peterson

Judy Ann Peterson of Ponca, Nebraska passed away at her home on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.  She was 81 years old.  The funeral service for Judy will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.   Visitation with family present will be from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, February 12, 2024.  The location of the visitation and funeral service will be the Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, Nebraska.  Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa immediately following the funeral service. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Funeral Homes in Sioux City.

Judy was born to Porter and Elsie (Fegenbush) Sides in Homer, Nebraska on October 29, 1942.  She was the youngest of six children.  Many of Judy’s fondest childhood memories were of her upbringing on the family farm near Dakota City, Nebraska.  Throughout her younger years, Judy attended school in Dakota City and graduated with the Class of 1961.  She was the valedictorian of her class.  From 1961 to 1964, she attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Sioux City.

On August 28, 1965, Judy was united in marriage to the love of her life, Jerry John Peterson.  From this union, the couple’s first child, Jon, was born in 1970.  Their second child, Angela, was born two years later.   The family resided in South Sioux City, Nebraska until 1975 when they moved to Ponca, Nebraska where Jerry started his autobody repair and painting business.

Until Jerry’s Body Shop permanently closed its doors in 2017, Judy had an active role as its bookkeeper.  For several years, she also made countless auto parts and supply gathering trips in the area, occasionally worked alongside Jerry when he was shorthanded, and helped maintain the buildings which housed the small business.  When her children grew older, she stayed busy working at a local grocery store, the Ponca State Park, Weller Plastics (Sioux City), and the M.G. Waldbaum Company (Wakefield, Nebraska).

Since her years growing-up on the Sides farm, Judy loved the outdoors and was often found outside tending to her flowers, garden, and other yard projects.  She became an avid golfer late in life and thoroughly enjoyed her seasons at the Highland Oaks Golf Course near Ponca where was twice a champion in the women’s league.  Judy also had a love for antique furniture and furniture refinishing which she taught for a few years as an adult education class.  Within her community of Ponca, she contributed as a coach for little league softball teams, a leader of Brownie and Girl Scout troops, and a member of the Salem Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Judy had an unwavering love of and commitment to her family.   She is preceded in death by her parents and five siblings (Darrell, Jane, Molly, Charles, and Don).  She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren (Tyler, Zachary, and Abigail), and great grandchildren (Camden and Liam).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Salem Lutheran Church or the American Legion Auxiliary - 117 Chapelle in Ponca.